The Hindu Business Line : Air India working on interiors of new aircraft

HAVING finally inked the deal for 68 new aircraft, Air India is keen that the new fleet reflects the best possible image of the airline. AI officials, helped by brand consultants, Alia Group, are now working against time to finalise the finer aspects of the new aircraft — details such as the ambience and look of the cabin, the colour scheme, and the amenities likely to be offered.

The aim is to arrive at a uniform look, which would immediately help identify the brand. However, the final look of the product is being kept a secret for now. Mr V. Thulasidas, Chairman, said the airline had also sought the views of its business class and first-class customers for inputs on selecting the seat of choice.

With deliveries scheduled to commence in November 2006 with B737-800 aircraft, the airline has to convey its choice to Boeing, the aircraft maker, by March.

The airline has set up several sub-committees that will co-ordinate to finalise the on-board amenities. For instance, the in-flight and materials management teams would decide on items such as the amenity kits, menu cards, meal trays and even the crockery and cutlery to be bought.

The items under consideration comprise buyer and seller furnished equipment. The buyer furnished equipment consists of things such as audio-video equipment, galleys, food carts, ovens and seats. AI would issue tenders for purchase of such equipment from vendors worldwide and make its choice known to Boeing. The aircraft maker would source these articles directly from the selected vendors.

Seller-furnished equipment basically consists of things such as the wheels and the vacuum systems. The seller usually presents a catalogue of such equipment to the airline, which then indicates its preference.

According to an official, such equipment accounted for 8-10 per cent of the aircraft cost, and was included in the total project cost. "The whole exercise is not new for the airline. However, it is for the first time in 10 years that AI is undertaking such an task," he said. According to him, it was a huge exercise, given the delivery schedule under which the airline would receive 48 aircraft over a period of four years beginning 2007. "This works out to an average of one aircraft delivery every month beginning 2007 up to 2011," he said.